Uber Launches Micro-entrepreneurship option for kaali-peeli drivers

PM Narendra Modi launched "Make in India" to make India stronger and its people richer. This opens door for new entrepreneurs to make something new. In the same sequence uber is helping Mumbai kaali-peeli drivers to earn decent income the reduce the protest from them.

According to official Uber Blog Post

Today, Uber announced the Mi Pan Malak scheme – a first-of-its kind special scheme for taxi and auto drivers across Mumbai.

Currently, kaali-peeli drivers rent taxis for 12-hour shifts, paying as high as ₹600 per shift (excluding CNG). With the same amount of money, kaali peeli drivers can be their own boss and take complete possession of the car, by availing offers and services through Uber’s partnerships with leading financial institutions and car manufacturers with a down payment as economical as ₹25,000.

At the launch of the Mi Pan Malak Scheme, Shailesh Sawlani, General Manager, Uber Mumbai, said, “At Uber we are keen on building micro-entrepreneurship by providing flexible economic opportunities for all. Through this special scheme, we encourage existing taxi and auto drivers to become financially independent by reaping the benefits of our platform. In a survey conducted few months ago, over 30% of our existing driver partners were found to be ex-taxi, auto and radio taxi drivers in Mumbai alone, and it’s encouraging to see people from not just driving professions but various professions become micro entrepreneurs by partnering with us.”

In February this year, during the Make in India week hosted by the Government of India, Uber signed an MoU with the Government of Maharashtra’s Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Department (SDED) to create 75,000 new economic opportunities including a focus on training women and people from marginalized societies. With the launch of Mi Pan Malak scheme, Uber aims to strengthen its vision of creating economic opportunities and livelihood across Maharashtra and also offer an affordable and convenient transportation solution to citizens.

An ex-taxi driver who is now an Uber partner says:

“The income I used to get when I was a taxi driver was unstable. I was left with no savings and used to find it very hard to manage expenses. Today, I don’t have that problem. I’ve gained financial stability because I get my payments on time and I’ve managed to save a good amount of money, to provide for my wife and kids.”